Searching for Marizela: An update

SEATTLE — The photo above from Marizela’s friends/family shows the tattoo on her left inner arm that reads “lahat ay magiging maayos” — a Tagalog saying for “all will be well.”
Thanks so much to all of you for your prayers and for helping to spread the word across the Internet.
Thanks to many friends/contacts in the Seattle-area media who covered her disappearance over the past few days, including:
Seattle Times
KOMO radio’s John Carlson and KOMO TV’s Shomari Stone
KING TV
KIRO
Marizela still hasn’t been heard from or seen by family since Saturday.
The Seattle PD says it has probable visual identification of Marizela boarding the Othello train near her home in the Rainier Beach area and commuting into the University District during the noon hour on Saturday. A Seattle PD detective from the missing persons bureau says there’s evidence that she was last seen Saturday afternoon at the Safeway in the city’s University District on 4732 Brooklyn Ave NE between 1-2pm. At some point during that time, purchases were made on her debit card.
The police say they “have no reason to suspect foul play” at this point. There are several reasons and grim evidence that cause the family to remain gravely concerned about Marizela’s safety, health, and well-being. As mentioned yesterday in the flyers the family is handing out, Marizela was taking anti-depressants and has been for some time. As my family gets on the ground to continue the search for Marizela, please continue to get the word out to anyone in the Seattle-area you know. Here’s the updated info on her last known location/time. If anyone saw or talked to her in the University District Saturday afternoon or has seen her since, please contact law enforcement ASAP:

Name: Marizela “Mei” Perez
Date Missing: Saturday March 5, 2011; Last seen between 1-2 P.M.
Last Seen: Safeway in University District (4732 Brooklyn Ave NE Seattle, WA 98105)
Possible Routes: Sound Link Light Rail stations, downtown/Chinatown areas, UW Seattle campus, U-district
Description: Asian female, 5’5” tall, 110 lbs, skinny build, asymmetrical bob with short bangs and brown/red highlights hairstyle, tattoo on left inner arm with the words ‘lahat ay magiging maayos’, last seen wearing a dark jacket with hood, denim jeans, light brown suede laced boots, possibly wearing green eye contacts, possibly carrying a plaid backpack with a Macbook Pro laptop, taking medication for depression.
Please contact if you have any information regarding this person:
Jasmin: 609 – 742 – 2360
Edgar: 609 – 646 – 0905
Melinda: 206 – 760 – 1822
Joy: 609 – 742 – 2336
See what others have said
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One year later: Marizela is still missing; Plus: A public appeal to Google
March 5, 2012 02:40 AM by Michelle Malkin
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November 23, 2011 12:05 AM by Michelle Malkin
51 CommentsFinding Marizela: The Dread Void of Uncertainty; UPDATE: Marizela is still missing, questions unanswered
October 24, 2011 03:46 AM by Michelle Malkin
99 CommentsUpdate: Arrest made in case of missing Seattle-area teen Kathy Chou
July 7, 2011 03:17 PM by Michelle Malkin
26 CommentsFinding Marizela: Month Four
July 5, 2011 06:19 AM by Michelle Malkin
50 Comments
Categories: Marizela



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Michelle, I want to let you know that I am praying for your cousin and your family. I hope that she will return very soon.
I have been asking God for help finding Marizela as has others. I believe in prayer and the more that are talking to God about this, I feel He will answer.
L
What a beautiful young lady. I’ve been praying, Michelle. Fingers and toes crossed, as well. My heart goes out to Em Em and her family.
God, bring her back safe.
I pray for strength for you, your family, and for Marizela.
May God lead her back into the embrace of her family.
Everyone at C4P is praying for her safe return.
Prayed yesterday, still praying today. May God’s peace be on you and your family and may He bring Marizela home safely.
Anti-depressants, otherwise known as ‘knock-out’ drugs, do more harm than good.
The key to helping someone with depression is to get them to stop thinking poorly of themselves. If you can change the way they view themselves, you can stop the depression.
123 you misunderstand depression, in many cases it is a brain chemical imbalance and can take many years to find the right combination of meds to conteract this imbalance. But it does need to be coupled with counseling therapy to coincide. My son suffers from it, there is no magic pill to make it all better.
Michelle, thank you for the update and allowing us to share this vigil with you, as painful as it is.
Praying your next update is “She Came Home!”
Prayers continue for Marizela and your family (and you!) from Florida, that she comes home safely and very soon. May God protect you all.
I suffer from depression/bi-polar and it is a terrible thing to have to deal with. I run in about 3-5 year cycles where I feel fine for that period of time and then I have 3-5 years of depression. There is definitely a brain/body chemistry component to it, but there’s also definitely no one-cure-fits-all. Medications and counseling have never worked for me, but without medications my mother, who also suffers depression, wouldn’t be alive. I found that my faith in Christ is the only thing that gets me through the down years. To each his own. Just knowing that Marizela suffers from depression makes my heart go out to her and her family all that much more. Doubling down on the prayers.
Still praying ! Still hopeful ! Still confident !
Spot on, on both counts.
Praying
AMEN!!!
ditto…..
I’ve been checking back to see if any updates posted. Thanks for this one Michelle. Still praying for Em Em to be found safe…God be with her and your family.
RE Antidepressants/meds:
I know that meds are and can be effective as a part of treatment, but antidepressants can make it worse in some people. The label says (in layman’s terms) “may cause suicidal tendencies” for crying out loud.
Based on (admittedly anecdotal) evidence, it’s not hard to get meds out of balance which can also make things worse.
My wife’s stepmom attempted suicide under antidepressants. Fortunately, she did not succeed. They adjusted her meds and she is getting counselling. She is happer than I’ve ever seen her (and a whole lot easier to get along with too).
Praying for a good outcome here as well.
I can’t imagine what her family is going through.
I kept this site up all weekend watching for an update. I’m sure there are a lot of prayers from the readers who aren’t able to post, in addition to all that has already been expressed here.
Wish I could help more, but I’m here in Florida with no contacts in Seattle, but your niece has been in my thoughts since you first informed us. Prayers have been constant since.
You should put this out on fox news. It would help with all their viewers. God bless you and the family Michelle.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Here’s to her safe and quick return home.
This has to be agonizing for you and your family, Michelle. May God be with you all and bring Mei safely home.
Michelle, I’m praying for your family and for Marizela’s safe return.
***
Depression affects many people–and it seems that it affects women much more than men. The medicine that helps one person may adversely affect the next person–just read the warning caveats. My wife suffers from depression.
***
And our culture–ads, peer pressure–tells many that they are imperfect and that they need to do X to fit in, be loved, be happy, etc. And then they make their money selling lots of X.
***
And university is a soulless place–long ago I couldn’t believe how few of my fellow students knew anything about self respect and God’s love for us all. They were pretty much cynical agnostics or atheists. Lots of booze and drugs didn’t improve the “ambiance” much. And lots of stress–especially in the tougher career paths like engineering and nursing. And this was 47 years ago when I graduated.
***
When I was a student I got news that the daughter of one of my Dad’s friends had committed suicide at university in Hawaii. She was about Mei’s age–and to me seemed to be an attractive and bright girl. She should have had a good happy future.
***
And the predators in our society are legion. The Green River killer prowled the NorthWest a decade ago. Attractive young women are always targets for these depraved criminals.
***
I pray that Mei has a good friend to help her through this tough time in her life. Or an observant policeman. Maybe the Safeway store video will help. May God will return her to her family soon.
***
John Bibb
***
Marizela, you are loved.
God loves you.
Your family loves you.
I pray in the name of Jesus Christ for angels to form a hedge of protection around you Marizela, to separate you from any evil people or thoughts, and to bring you home safely to your loving family.
Taking medication for depression is akin to taking insulin for a diabetic. If the body cannot produce the required chemicals to keep it in balance, outside intervention is needed. Thank God for modern medicine.
Regarding Em Em, prayers are continual. The candles burn brightly for her safe return.
May God send his angels to surround her and keep her safe. I believe in angels. I have experienced their loving embrace myself. They will be with her no matter what.
RedPill…I wrote my post before reading the others. We are on the same wavelength. I have prayed for angels many times and I have experienced them.
Prayers and positive vibes coming from the Boston area!
happyscrapper#30,
I believe in angels also and have had them help me out on several occasions. I won’t go into what, some would think I’m nuts, but they are around.
L
Getting as far as the University is actually good news. Rainier Beach isn’t the best area in Seattle…
Hang in there Michelle.
David Bose also carried this on his show yesterday.
http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=193
I suffer from it, it cycles in weeks for me, not years. Nothing seems to help. I just struggle with it.
Good Lord, being missing since Saturday is enough reason to suspect something is wrong.
I have nothing in my life experience that can help me know how your family is dealing with the situation. God bless them and you, too, Michelle. We’ll continue to pray that she’ll come home safely.
Since I live “back East”, I doubt that I’ll see this young lady, but I’ll still keep her in mind. Good luck to all of your family, MM.
Let’s light up the web. Everyone tweet this, post on other social media, your blogs, whatever. Let’s stir the saints to pray and get Marizela home.
Yeah, I have been called “nuts” before when trying to explain the unexplainable. I don’t care. I know what I have expereienced and it goes far beyond angels. But, I won’t go into that here either. All I know is what I have experienced. For those who haven’t had the same, they can’t possibly understand. That’s o.k. If their eyes are eventually opened to God’s wonders, they will then understand. Until then, we are nuts. Whatever.
Please make sure that the word goes out to area hospitals. We had a situation in my family where a relative dissapeared, and as it turned out, had suffered a concussion but managed to get a stranger to take him to an ER and was being kept at the hospital overnight. He had no cell phone with him and was too groggy to give the hospital much information. It may be a long shot but someone should call and check area hospitals, especially rural hospitals, and see if this young woman somehow managed to get to a hospital.
Excellent idea! I hope they have done that by now. You are right, she might be unconscious and maybe lost her ID. Definitely worth a shot.
I’ve got this posted on my blog and my prayers go with her and your family.
I hope that this young lass is welcomed back into her family’s arms soon. As a person that knows the throes of depression, I sympathize with her and her loved ones.
Thanks for the update Michelle.
Continued prayers for Marizela’s safe return to her loved ones.
Best wishes, Michelle Malkin. And please understand that you’re doing an excellent job through social media outlets to find this young woman. You’re doing everything that you can, with what you have.
We are praying for your family, your strength in God, and that your faithful prayers are answered.
We are with you and your family during this trial Michelle. I will continue to pray for Marizela and all those who are missing. Trust in God.
I’m so sorry that you and your family are having to go through this, Michelle. I only wish there was something I could do to help. I can’t imagine how difficult this must be for you and for all of Marizela’s loved ones.
It breaks my heart that so many people have to suffer similar situations.
I shall pray for Mei’s safe return as, no doubt, your countless other readers will.
Michelle, I don’t “pray” in any kind of conventional way, but I have medidated with thoughts of love and protection for your beautiful cousin while imagining an image of her surrounded by a loving white light to comfort her and guide her safely home.
Call it angels, call it crazy, call it what you will. That’s just my way.
I have suffered from depression since adolescence and my treatment has been all over the spectrum. I agree with those that say there is no one-size-fits-all treatment – be it physiological, psychological or a combination of both. Changing one’s self-image can certainly be part of it, 123, but it is by no-means a cure-all. Positive thinking doesn’t always work when your brain synapses don’t fire correctly or there is a chemical imbalance.
I hope Em Em finds her way home to those that love her.
I continue to pray for her safe return and for your family.
Continued prayers for Marizela and your entire family, Michelle. I know that you and yours and Marizela are on a lot of prayer chains. Keep your chin up.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and Marizela’s family for her safe return.
Just a thought here…has anyone tried to run a trace on the Macbook Pro laptop for Internet activity? (a well placed sniffer with the MAC address for the network card in the laptop might work if it’s in use anywhere) …or perhaps a triangulation trace on a cell phone (if she has one on her)? Just groping for additional ideas here since it sounds as though pretty much all other bases have been covered.
She is in my prayers. God bless.
Our prayers are continuing. Another Christian depression/anxiety sufferer here. No shame in taking meds. What is important is Marizela returning home safe.
(sigh) Please come home Marizela. Better days await you.
So sorry that Marizela still hasn’t been found. I continue to pray that this beautiful girl finds her way home soon.
Michelle our thoughts and prayers for your family and you.
Marizela will be foremost in our thoughts till this is resolved
Praying for Marizela and your family..may comforting angels be with her in her time of need.
Michelle, I have contacted almost my entire extended family and asked them to pray for Marizela, for you and your entire family. May the Lord grant you all Serenity, Courage and Wisdom during this time of family stress.
I lived and worked in Manila from ’97 – ’02. Filipinos are without question the the most kind, genuine, caring and generous people I have ever had the honor to know. And for Filipinos, immediate and extended “pamilya” (family) is everything. As in EVERYTHING. Just one of their cultural imperitives I deeply admire. A Filipino has “utang na loob” to family – especially parents. It means a “debt of gratitude”, but that doesn’t really describe it. It literally means an “obligation from within” – from the heart and soul. Michelle will pour her heart and soul into this until Marizela is safe. No hesitation, no question and no limit. It’s just what do when family needs you.
Almighty God, loving Father in Heaven
We lift Marizela, Michelle and this family before You
Return this precious child to the love and safety of her family.
Sustain and comfort them through the fear, anxiety and pain
Send your angels and give them charge concerning Marizela and her family
Bring her home Lord, and we will give you all the glory, honor and praise
And give thanks for Your lovingkindness.
In the strong name of Jesus our Lord.
Oh, that it were that easy. Four-plus years ago, my husband was let go from a job suddenly and cruelly. I was 5 1/2 months pregnant with our first son. He had a breakdown and went missing for hours. The police eventually picked him up and took him to a county facility where I was reunited with him. For those short few hours, I was terrified and in tears.
The only think that restored his mental balance was medication coupled with some counseling. I fully believe the meds saved his life. He was on them temporarily.
Michelle, I am going to ask St. Anthony of Padua – patron of missing persons – to intercede on behalf of your family and Marizela. Know that I wish there was more I could do, but Seattle is so far from Wisconsin.
Keep us posted and I’m so sorry you’re going through this nightmare.
Every night, I use the time between 2-4AM when I can’t sleep to talk to God. Usually I ask for guidance but have been praying for Marizela and asking for Him to give her family the strength they need to get through this.
GladzKravtz#65,
I guess you are like me, when I wake up at night, I talk to God during the night on things that I have asked Him to things needs to deal with. I go to sleep with the knowledge He is doing His thing. I believe with all my heart, God hears all those who are talking to Him about Marizela.
L
Thanks for catching that EQ. This Tom Cruise-esque simplification of depression can be dangerous and deadly. There are people who suffer from chronic depression that has absolutely nothing to do with circumstances or self esteem. It is caused by imbalances in the chemicals that regulate the neuro sinapses that control everything the brain does, and the emotions.
Don’t try to help someone when you don’t know what it is about. The “snap out of it” therapy has led people to self destruction and suicide. Self esteem is one small piece of a very large and complex puzzle.
I was hoping to find a “happier update” when I logged on tonight. I am saddened to find there is not.
Like all here, I will try and stay positive, and to keep your young cousin in my thoughts and prayers…
Well said…
God performs miracles all the time. I’ve seen it in my own life. God, we need a miracle for this beautiful, young lady Marizela. In your will I pray!
May God bless Marizela and your family Michelle.
AMEN!
Strength to you and your family during this trying time, MM, and sincere hopes for a happy outcome.
That picture up top just breaks my heart. I hope she is found safe and sound.
ANXIOUSLY waiting for good news. Hope it all works out.
The candle is burning for the daily vigil and prayers. Our Father, Who art in Heaven…
God Bless Marizela and may She be return quickly to her family.
Hey, Michelle. I’ve contacted the folks in West Seattle that I used to work with. I have my doubts that she headed in that direction, but you never know.
I know that this is dominating your world right now. Marizela is so lucky to have a cousin with such a connection to the country and to the PNW.
You know I’m not much for prayer, but my thoughts are with her and her family.
Marizela, if you are reading this, looking for hope, looking for a reason, please understand that no matter how you feel right now about yourself or your circumstances, please believe that people care about you. Let us know that you’re ok.
There is no pain that is insurmountable. No hurt that can’t be healed. Maybe you can’t imagine happiness. Please put your faith in a higher power and trust. Trust that you matter.
We all believe you matter.
Please come home.
You and your family are in my prayers, Michelle. May God bring Marizela home safely very soon. God’s blessings upon you all…
Just logged in to say that I’m praying for you and your family, Mrs. Malkin. May Almighty God protect your cousin and return her home safely. In Jesus name. Amen.
Like many others, was hoping for a positive update tonight.
Will continue to pray for the safe return of your cousin, and will post a link on websites I frequent if it isn’t already posted.
We need to keep praying for her.
Still possible she’s off goofing, Michelle. Thirty years ago, I made my parents worry for a month when I changed countries. (That’s my biggest sin.)
Continued prayers for Marizela’s safe return, and for strength and comfort for you and family.
Stay strong Michelle.
“Thou shalt keep him in perfect peace, who’s mind is stayed on thee.”
“Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Trust. Good news is forthcoming.
Still no word?
May God comfort you and your’s Michelle during this trying time. I could never imagine how I’d feel in your situation, and words fall short to make it any better, so I’ll just keep praying for you.
Michelle, Please keep faith that she will be found in good health. My unit had a Marine go missing for a couple of weeks but turned up safely back on base. I am praying for her safe return.
I’ve logged on many times just to check to see if there is any news. God bless and keep Marizela safe from harm. She is lovely and from the pictures, bears a striking resemblance to Michelle. Still praying….
Any news on Marizela? Her family must be going crazy. Continuing prayers she is found safe.
Michelle’s most recent update on Twitter:
All may not be well right now, but I’m still praying that all will be well.
Great things can be done when many people pray together ! I still believe “All Will Be Well”!
Still praying ! Still hopeful ! Still confident !
I keep hitting the Seattle media hoping for some news. As frustrating as it is for us, I can’t imagine what MM and Marizela’s family are going through. I have a daughter away to college. It’s just unthinkable. Still praying Marizela is safe.
Michelle, do you plan to be on F&F as you normally do on Thursday? If so, you could bring this up for their viewers to be looking also. If sure couldn’t hurt. Still talking to God about Marizela to come home.
L
You can ask people to print these pictures if they’ll be travelling in that area. Add personal and general phone numbers.
Hopefully she’s just confused and someone could convince her of that, and it’s best to just call Home.
Michelle, things don’t just work out that “all will be well”, or not. Your faith, hope and love in prayer along with thousands of others brings it.
Do not lose heart. Prayers in faith have incredeible power. I’ve seen it time after time.
Marizela will be fine. Believe it. Own it.
Lots of prayers for Marizela, Michelle. You are in our hearts and minds through this.
Continuing to fast until she is found. . .
Behold the eyes of the Lord rove to and fro over the face of the whole earth to prove Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are perfect toward Him.
Just got home and relit my vigil candle. Today my school district had disabled access to this site, so I could not keep up with any news. So far, I can still access American Thinker, although I do not post anything while on campus, and I try to read up as much as possible.
Anyway, Ms. Malkin, you and your family are continually in my daily thoughts and prayers. Plus, we will hang on for you while your mind and emotions are elsewhere. You are loved. <3 (that is supposed to be a heart)
Still
I include you,your family,and Marizela in my prayers each night.I ask that you change the “Update” headline because each time I log on I get so hopeful she is found safe and sound!My prayers continue.
Get some rest please Michelle.
Almighty God, loving Father
Another day without rejoicing
Yet hope remains strong and our trust in You yet stronger
We implore You with one heart and voice
Protect, defend and deliver Marizela
Restore this precious child to her family
Give comfort, hope and strength to those who seek and wait
Grant that the hours of fear and anxiety will only make the blessed reunion that much sweeter
We appeal to You together with humble and believing hearts
Grant this mercy in strong name of our Lord Jesus
For His sake, and for His glory
She’s cute!
I bet she’s OK. She seems like she’s pretty smart. At 20, I disappeared for months and was fine.
I pray nothing bad has happened to her, but she probably met some guy she went away with for a vacation. She might be afraid to come back if the search gets too big. Hope she turns up soon!